Extraction and fractionation of long pepper essential oil: process modeling and simulation

Steam distillation is the most traditional process to obtain essential oils, and the industry still greatly relies on empirical procedures. In this context, it is important to evaluate the effect of process variables in the essential oil extraction, such as pressure, temperature, time, and bed porosity. The obtained Piper hispidinervum C. DC essential oil showed a similar yield under the operating pressure conditions (1 atm, 2 atm, and 3 atm). The experimental bed porosity varied notably in the different pressure conditions. The bed porosity term as a function of time (e(t)) was incorporated into the model proposed by Reverchon and fitted well with the experimental data. The long pepper oil was fractionated in a batch distillation column. The process was simulated using a dynamic model, and the fractions obtained experimentally were compared with the simulated data. The fractionation process resulted in fractions with high purity of safrole (97.09%) and terpinolene (55.90%). The extraction time is reduced by half by adjusting the process variables and results in a more cost-effective process, from the energy reduction perspective. As well as from a product engineering point of view, since products with higher added value were obtained from the same raw material.

Automated summary

Steam distillation is a traditional method for obtaining essential oils, but its parameters have been determined empirically. In this study, the effects of pressure, temperature, time, and bed porosity on essential oil extraction were evaluated. Piper hispidinervum C. DC essential oil showed similar yields under different pressure conditions, but the bed porosity varied. The experimental data fitted well with the model proposed by Reverchon. Fractionation of long pepper oil in a batch distillation column resulted in fractions with high purity of safrole and terpinolene. Adjusting the process variables reduced extraction time and improved cost-effectiveness and product value.